Lech Piasecki

{{short description|Polish cyclist}}

{{Infobox cyclist

| name = Lech Piasecki

| image = Lech Piasecki (2).jpg

| caption =

| fullname = Lech Piasecki

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|11|13|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Poznań, Poland

| currentteam = Retired

| discipline = Road/Track

| role = Rider

| ridertype =

| amateuryears1 =

| amateurteam1 =

| proyears1 = 1986–1988

| proteam1 = Del Tongo

| proyears2 = 1989

| proteam2 = Malvor-Sidi

| proyears3 = 1990

| proteam3 = Diana-Colnago

| proyears4 = 1991

| proteam4 = Colnago-Lampre

| majorwins = Grand Tours

:Giro d'Italia

::5 individual stages (1986, 1988, 1989)

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry| {{POL}} }}

{{MedalSport| Men's road bicycle racing }}

{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}

{{MedalGold |1985 Giavara del Montello|Amateur's Road Race}}

}}

File:Lech Piasecki medal & autograph.jpg ]]

Lech Piasecki (born 13 November 1961) is a Polish former racing cyclist. Born in Poznań, he became the first Polish cyclist to wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France, in 1987.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54pAJY6Ix8YC&pg=PA220 |page=220|title=The Tour de France, 1903-2003: a century of sporting structures, meanings, and values|last=Dauncey|first=Hugh|author2=Hare, Geoff |publisher= Routledge |year=2003|isbn= 0-7146-5362-4}}

After Piasecki became Amateur world champion in 1985, the Colnago team wanted to sign him. The Polish cycling organisation allowed that in exchange for bicycles.[http://www.archiefleeuwardercourant.nl/site/article.do?code=LC&date=19851106&id=LC-19851106-11006 Wereldkampioen Piasecki geruild tegen fietsen] His first victory as a professional cyclist was in a time trial in the 1986 Giro d'Italia, where he beat many favourites.[http://www.archiefleeuwardercourant.nl/site/article.do?code=LC&date=19860524&id=LC-19860524-9008 Moser verliest Giro op zijn specialiteit]

In 1987, he won the first stage of the Tirreno–Adriatico. It was a time trial in which he started early, and the wind changed direction after Piasecki finished, so the main favourites who started later had a disadvantage.[http://www.archiefleeuwardercourant.nl/site/article.do?code=LC&date=19870313&id=LC-19870313-9002 Piasecki rijdt Moser op meer dan halve minuut in proloog Tirreno] In the 1987 Tour de France, Piasecki became second in the prologue, and took the yellow jersey after finishing in the lead group of Stage 2. After he lost the lead on Stage 4, he had to abandon the 7th stage due to illness.[http://www.archiefleeuwardercourant.nl/site/article.do?code=LC&date=19870708&id=LC-19870708-7003 Lech Piasecki uitgevallen]

On 24 August 1988 he became World Track Champion in individual pursuit. The following year Piasecki put forth a remarkable performance during the 1989 Giro d'Italia by winning three stages including two ITT stages, as well as a high mountain stage.